Most of the knives I’ve reviewed thus far, except for the small Moki Ezo Red Fox gentleman’s knife, are either industrial or tactical-looking. That’s not a bad thing, but sometimes you want a high performing knife that looks a little different.
The Case Cutlery XX Back Pocket knife is a long and slender folding knife that’s meant to be carried inside your pants pocket. You can also slip it into a sheath or bag. Just because the knife was designed for comfortable pocket carry doesn’t mean that’s your only option.
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The Back Pocket is a slipjoint knife with 3-1/4″ clip point blade. Like other slipjoint knives, the Case Back Pocket blade does not lock open. It opens via a nail nick and stops at a single mid-way detent before snapping into place.
I initially found the knife slightly difficult to open via the nail nick. It softened up after a few days of use and will probably break in further over time.
The bone handle is comfortable to grip, and with this being my first bone-handled full-size knife I’m not sure how it compares to other bone-handled knives.
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The bone comes from Zebu cattle shin bones (you can read more about it on Case’s website), and sports traditional jigging with dark molasses coloring. This knife is also available with other color and material options, such as dark red bone, ebony wood, and G-10.
Case really put some nice touches into the Back Pocket’s handle. The center spring is fully polished and nicely finished. It is surrounded by what appears to be brass liners, and then you have the bone handle scales.
I have not fashioned a lanyard pull for the Back Pocket yet, mostly because it doesn’t swim around in a pocket. It’s comfortable to carry, but its length makes the knife quick and easy to pluck.
As the box clearly shows, the knife is hand-crafted in the USA. Perhaps not completely, but it’s not produced via an automated assembly line. That means that each knife is going to be unique, even if all that means is that just the handle has different character.
At 4-5/8″ long closed, the Back Pocket looks longer than it really is. I found it to be a nice length, but perhaps a bit long to consider the Back Pocket a gentleman’s knife.
Verdict
I found the Case XX Back Pocket knife to be a nice option for everyday carry. It does not lock open, but there are times when I prefer a traditional pocket folder over more modern designs.
The blade is reasonably sharp right out of the box, and should be quick and easy to sharpen. It’s made from surgical steel, so it should hold up to light-to-medium use just fine. I did not hone the cutting edge prior to first using the knife, but it would have been a good idea.
Recommended for: casual/everyday use, pocket carry
Not Recommended for: anyone that needs a one-hand-opening or locking knife
Buy Now(via Amazon)
More Info & Colors(via Case)
The street price for this model is about $75-80.
Specifications
| Case Backpocket 07182 | |
|---|---|
| Deployment | Nail Nick |
| Length | 8″ Open 4-5/8″ Closed |
| Blade Length | 3-1/4″ |
| Weight | 3.6 oz. |
| Blade Material | Surgical Steel |
| Blade Style | Clip Point |
| Lock Style | None |
| Handle Material | Dark Molasses Bone |
| Pocket Clip? | No |
| Made in | USA |
| Street Price | $80 |
Thank you to Case for providing the review sample unconditionally. Review samples are typically given away, donated, or retained for benchmark and comparison purposes.
Greg E
Case knives are all I carry, they are beautiful, high quality knives. The Texas toothpick model is a must look at for every day use. Its small, light, sharp, good for any light work and can be very effective for cleaning under nails/as a tooth pick :).
Stuart
I’ll have to take a closer look at that model. I have the Peanut, but don’t really like it for everyday carry. Not because it’s small, but because it’s really tough to open and I haven’t had time to work the spring a bit yet.
Greg E
Stuart take a look at Case’s RussLock design. Easy to open, grate design (very unique), and there are two sizes (med/med-large). The Lockback (standard /traditional 1 blade design) is also a good carry knife. I have noticed that the smaller Case knives have a break-in period were they are stiff, but a little use (everyday) and bio-friendly mineral oil will make the blade glide right out when you open it up.
O-I also think the higher end Bucks are a good everyday carry knife to. (over 25.00-30.00) and there are a few other good brands out there to (mostly hand made or higher end tho).
I didn’t mean to chatter (my keyboard mouth off), about knives but I like them :), almost forgot—nice knife!
Stuart
Thanks for the recommendation and tip about the mineral oil, I’ll keep them in mind. In the meantime I have two other Case knives I’ve been testing alongside a bunch of others.
I have two Bucks – an Alpha Dorado and Solo that I bought in September. I’m liking the Alpha quite a bit so far.
Don’t worry about chattering too much. After all, I did write about 500 words about this knife and slightly more than 1000 words about the Spyderco Southard in yesterday’s review.
ringo
Case is alright but I usually carry a Schrade “Stockman” or Victorinox “Super Tinker”. I don’t really have a preference between Case and Schrade. And, if anything, I think I prefer their blade steel to Victorinox. But the Super Tinker has some handy tools. Just enough without being too bulky or going overboard.
Dusty
Yes! Finally someone writes about optimum blender.